How to Certify

The IBLM and its member associations, colleges, societies and organizations are committed to a globally standardized approach to lifestyle medicine certifications. This includes exam eligibility, prerequisites, exam questions and length, pass rates and certification costs (tiered to account for the variations in purchasing power). Each region has minor modifications to account for local circumstances.

The IBLM is working with the following organisations, to bring a globally unified certification framework to the market:

The Amercian Board of Lifestyle Medicine

The European Lifestyle Medicine Organisation

The Asian Society of Lifestyle Medicine

The Australasian Society of Lifestyle Medicine

The Latin American Lifestyle Medicine Association

Once Africa and the Arabic World is organized in terms of lifestyle medicine, we expect that organization to join the IBLM, too.

Each regional or country lifestyle medicine organization runs their own examination, using the global exam and proctoring provided by the IBLM. Certifications are co-issued by the local and regional organization holding the exam and the IBLM.

Eligibility

To certify as a Lifestyle Medicine physician

You must be board-certified by a medical specialty board recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) or the American Osteopathic Association (AOA) for US based physicians

You must be credentialed as a physician in your country of residence for physicians outside the USA

Your certification will be issued by the ABLM for US/Canada based physicians, and by the IBLM for physicians outside North America

To certify as a Lifestyle Medicine professional

You must hold a PhD or Masters degree in a health or allied health discipline, or

You must be a Doctor of Nursing Practice, or

You must be a certified and licensed Physician Assistant, or

You must be a Doctor of Optometry, or

You must be a Doctor of Podiatry, or

You must be a Doctor of Chiropractic, or

You must be a Doctor of Psychotherapy, or

You must be a Doctor of Exercise Physiology, or

You must be a Doctor of Occupational Therapy, or

You must be a Doctor of Pharmacy, or

You must be a Doctor of Physiotherapy, or

You must be a Doctor of Psychology, or

You must be a Doctor of Dentistry

Your certification will be issued by the ACLM for US/Canada based health practitioners, and by the IBLM for people outside North America

To certify as a Lifestyle Medicine nurse

You must be currently licensed to practice as an RN

You must hold a bachelor level nurse degree

Your certification will be issued by the ACLM for US/Canada based nurses. The IBLM does not certify bachelor level health practitioners.

While the ABLM sets the certification competencies and Lifestyle Medicine standards, it is left up to the participants to acquire the necessary knowledge, skills and experience from reputable sources. The ABLM accepts CMEs of the following programs/providers:

Proof of CMEs, credentials and case study must be submitted at least 30 days prior to the certification exam

In-person CMEs from Lifestyle Medicine conferences immediately preceding an exam are exempt from the above 30 day rule
(Please note that no certifications will be issued until the relevant documentation has been received)

Pricing

Recertification

Recertification – The IBLM is acutely aware of the widespread dissatisfaction with the current recertification process of most medical boards. The ABLM is committed to develop a fair and reasonable recertification protocol that is based on the premise “use it or lose it”, utilizing the latest technology to track diplomate LM activities! We will make the necessary announcements at the appropriate time.